March 5, 2024
March 4, 2024
As the weather gets warmer, it is easy to get excited for all the things that are coming in the summer. And it is the same here at church: We are looking ahead to plenty of things happening. We have the Greece and Turkey trip, our youth gathering trip, and summer family camping weekend, to name a few.
One of my favorite things during the summer has always been summer camp.
As I have shared, I used to work at camp: both HopeWood Pines up the road and Camp Agape down in North Carolina.
What I love about camp is the community built within the staff. There are many memories and jokes that are shared and built through the summer. One of my favorites is when we would sing “Tiny Tim” (a song about a turtle) to the tune of “The House of the Rising Sun,” and it continues to bring a smile to my face when I get videos of those memories on my phone.
A camaraderie is built through the challenges and joys that come from late nights and early mornings. Camp staff build and encourage each other in ways that are only known to camp staff.
And it didn’t stop at the staff. I loved getting to know all the campers who come through for the week and get to build a small community within our cabin.
They get to know each other and find interests that they shared. One of my favorite things to do is decorate the cabin and see what the kids do. They always took charge and found ways to include everyone and support all the creative ideas that came to mind.
They get to worship together and sing together. They study and hike together. In my opinion, kids always ask the most best and honest questions about faith, and I love getting to explore them.
I love seeing all these campers who barely know each other at the beginning of the week be crying that they have to leave. Camp builds community that I have not seen anywhere else.
Camp is one of the places that are known to help solidify and make faith tangible for kids and make it their own. They get to learn and sing songs that will go home with them until they don’t have voices anymore.
Camp is important. As you are looking into your plans for the summer, I encourage you to consider camp as an option for your kids. It is a time where they grow and become more independent as well as creating lifelong memories. Prince of Peace is going to HopeWood Pines the week of June 23 this summer, and if you have any questions, reach out to Kaley O’Donnell, our events coordinator.
And if you are or know a young adult who is looking for a job this summer, float the idea of being a camp counselor. Yes, it looks great on the resume, but the memories are worth so much more.
Vicar Jennie White, Intern